United States Immigration Office, Immigration office building in Honolulu, United States.
The United States Immigration Office is a government building in Honolulu, Hawaii, constructed with double-pitched tiled roofs, wide eaves, and balanced proportions designed to maximize natural light and ventilation. The structure features careful window placement and building orientation to enhance interior air circulation and lighting.
The building was constructed in 1934 by architects Charles William Dickey and Herbert C. Cayton and initially served as a reception center for immigrants arriving by ship to Hawaii. During World War II, it was repurposed as a processing center for internment operations, reflecting a complex period in the islands' wartime history.
The building displays territorial architectural elements, with an inlaid compass design on the waiting room floor that reflects Hawaiian design traditions.
The site remains accessible to the public, but visitors should be aware that it continues to function as a government office with potentially limited access to certain areas. Checking ahead about visiting conditions or public hours is advisable before planning a visit.
Today the building houses offices for Homeland Security Investigations and the Hawaii Department of Health, showing how its purpose has shifted from its original role. This change in use connects the site's immigration history to modern government functions within the same structure.
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